WEEKLY NEWS

Big Kids Service (Ages 8-12, Kids Only): Saturday, 11am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

TeleTefila Havdallah: Saturday, 6:21pm on Zoom

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Please join us in wishing comfort to Ellen Schorr and Nat Polish, and their children, Annie and Dorie, at the death of Ellen's father. 

No Talmud Class Next Week (February 26)

There will be no Talmud Class next Wednesday evening, February 26, during our Rye + Rye tasting at Fort Hamilton Distillery. If you would like to join us at the tasting, please register by Monday.

6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat for Daylight Saving Time Begins on Friday, March 14

Please note that starting on Friday, March 14, Kabbalat Shabbat services will switch from the current 5:30pm start time to instead start at 6:30pm (the first Shabbat after we switch our clocks to Daylight Saving Time on March 9).

Upcoming Kiddush Sponsorship

We currently have an opening for a Kiddush sponsorship on Shabbat, March 1. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, marking a meaningful date, or simply in a position to contribute, we'd love to hear from you!

This is the only open date until summer. If you can sponsor, please contact the office at AGreene@anschechesed.org or call 212-865-0600 ext. 201.

Your generosity will be greatly appreciated by all. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our community.

Mishloach Manot Orders Open!

Purim is coming -- and that means our annual Mishloach Manot campaign is open! Register online to order bags for your friends and support AC! You can also donate to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger and Magen David Adom. Bags may be picked up on Erev Purim, Thursday night, March 13 during megillah reading and Friday, March 14 in the lobby. 

Want to be a mega-mensch? Help stuff the Mishloach Manot bags on Sunday, March 9 at 1:30pm following the annual Purim Carnival and/or deliver packages to home-bound members of the community. If you're interested in volunteering, or need your bag delivered, please email Martin Sivorinovsky.

Reproductive Freedom Shabbat Panel and Service Opportunity

Saturday, February 22 from 12:30 - 2pm at B'nai Jeshurun

Learn about the state of abortion access in our city and country, and honor the Jewish value of reproductive freedom at this post-Kiddush panel discussion and service project with a lineup of experts in abortion care, funding, and advocacy. Cosponsored with and hosted by B'nai Jeshurun. Learn More

Rally with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum

Sunday, February 23 at 12pm at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park

Sunday, February 23 will mark 506 unimaginable days of war and destruction. This week the people of Israel received (or will receive) the remains of four of our brothers and sisters, including the Bibas babies, whose precious faces have been the symbols of this horror. And on Shabbat we expect to welcome home six more living hostages, whose worst nightmare will end, and whose return home is just beginning. Please join the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Central Park on Sunday to mark the week of 500 dreadful days. Our Hazzan Hirschhorn will help lead the memorial. I hope to see you there.  

Rye + Rye: It's a Twofer!

Wednesday, February 26 from 6 - 8pm at the Fort Hamilton Distillery in Brooklyn

Tour the Fort Hamilton Distillery a tasting of original whiskey-style New York Rye and an informal talk on the history of rye bread by culinary historian Avery Robinson. In addition to the rye bread, munchies will be provided by Sahadi’s, Brooklyn’s leading Middle Eastern grocery store.

Limited to 30 people. Register here.

All We Carry: Film Screening + Conversation

Thursday, February 27 from 6 - 8:30pm at B'nai Jeshurun

This 2024 award-winning documentary follows a young family’s extraordinary journey fleeing persecution and enduring months in U.S. detention. Upon their release, a local synagogue sponsors them as they await the final decision on their asylum case. With ever-growing risks to immigrant communities, this film offers an opportunity to reflect on the resilience of those seeking safety and the role we can play in creating welcoming spaces. Followed by a brief talk-back. In partnership with the Synagogue Coalition of Refugee and Immigration Crises. Learn More

Home/Away From Home: Jews on College Campuses Today -- Shabbat Dinner and Discussion

Friday, March 7 at 6:30pm, Following 5:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat services

In the last 18 months, American college campuses have seen anti-Zionist encampments and protests, often strident and hostile. Many Jewish students have been felt intellectually under assault and sometimes socially excluded. Please join three AC members with expertise in the field, to hear more about this pressing issue than what you can read in the general and Jewish press.

• Nicholas Lemann, Columbia journalism professor, co-chair of the CU Task Force on Anti-Semitism 
• Dahlia Lyss, co-author, while still a Tufts undergraduate, of "A Year of Campus Conflict and Growth: An Over-Time Study of the Impact of the Israel-Hamas War on U.S. College Students," (2024) with Dr. Eitan Hersh
• Richard Rosen, senior vice president for legal advocacy, for the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, which fights for the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promotes justice for all.

Register here by Wednesday, March 5.

LGBTQ+ Gathering

Sunday, March 9 at 6:30pm in the Multipurpose Room

Transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and LGBQ+ people are being targeted by the government. In these outrageous times, we need our community. All LGBTQ+ members of Ansche Chesed - adults and teens - are invited to gather for food, intergenerational solidarity, and sparks of hope. RSVP to Rachel Tiven.

Caregivers' Circle

Wednesdays, 12 - 1:15pm

8 biweekly sessions between March 5 and June 4

Caring for an aging loved one is a meaningful journey that often brings unique challenges. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or uncertain, you are not alone. The Caregiver’s Circle is an eight-session series facilitated by DOROT Social Worker, Hilary Forrest, LMSW, designed to provide a supportive community where caregivers can connect and find strength alongside others who understand the joys and complexities of caregiving. Together, we’ll explore topics such as managing stress & preventing burnout, navigating family dynamics, and prioritizing self-care. Whether you’re caring for a spouse, parent, or another loved one, this group is here to support you.

Learn more by registering for the group or contacting Hilary directly at Hforrest@dorotusa.org or 917-441-3747.

A Visit to Jewish Rome, with Leah Koenig

Thursday, March 20 at 7pm in 5 North

Award-winning author Leah Koenig will discuss Portico: Cooking and Feasting in Rome’s Jewish Kitchen. Drawing on three traditions—Italkic, from the Jews of ancient Rome; Sephardic, dating from medieval times; and Libyan, the most recent—Koenig will recount a lively history of Jewish life in Italy, especially in Rome, as well highlight a varied array of recipes, with elegant vegetable dishes, deeply flavored stews, rustic pastas, and classic Roman Jewish dishes that are designed for the home cook. Learn more and RSVP

AC Kids Services: February Birthday Shabbat

Saturday, February 22 at 11am

Happy birthday to all kids with February birthdays! We invite you to do any of the following: bring a special book or kosher treat to share, participate in leading the service, or just come and celebrate! If you want to participate or have any questions, email Rabbi Yael -- or just show up!

AC Purim Carnival: Registration Open!

Sunday, March 9 from 10:30am - 1:30pm in Hirsch Hall

Join us for a festive Purim celebration - fun for all ages! Kids and adults are encouraged to come in costume, and are invited to join our exciting Costume Parade at 11:50am! All are welcome! Register online for reduced price unlimited games and Open Gym session.

The Purim Carnival is the annual fundraiser for our Hebrew School, and it's made possible thanks to the financial and volunteer support of our wonderful community. Learn how you can help

Pick Up Books, Records and CDs from the Collection of Albert Gal z"l

Saturday, March 1 from 6 - 9pm at Arleen's Apartment (225 West 83rd Street, 9E)

From AC Member Arleen Stern: My husband, Albert Gal z”l, a great reader and music lover passed away last spring. Now I am moving, so need to pass many of them on. We are long time AC members, and Albert dearly loved the shul and many of you. Please stop by and take something from his collections.

Please consider donating in his memory, to go toward the PS 145 School Library. You can specify that your donation is in his Albert's memory in the Notes section.

Light refreshments will be served. If you wish, bring something vegetarian to share. We’ll drink up some of his booze.

Support Asylum Seekers in NYC

As a synagogue community who recognizes the divine image of all people, is motivated by the mitzvah of welcoming the stranger, and is composed of generations of immigrants from across the world, we hope you will join us in supporting asylum seekers in our city. If you would like to hear from us about future opportunities to get involved, please join our mailing list.

Pre-Shabbat Climate Action

Do you have 1 or 2 minutes a week to do something meaningful about climate change? Subscribe to the Jewish Climate Action Network NYC’s weekly Climate Action for an email every Thursday morning about a quick email or call you can make in support of climate legislation, as well as a short reflection to bring with you into Shabbat. View this week's.

Rabbi Jules Harlow Parshat HaShavuah Class

Saturdays, 9am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom

Source Sheet (updated Friday afternoons)

Dedicated to Rabbi Jules Harlow, a great teacher of Torah and Jewish liturgy. Come before class at 8:45am for hot coffee and schmoozing!

Shirei Chesed Community Chorus

Tuesdays from 7:30 - 9pm in 5 North

Shirei Chesed builds community through a rich repertoire of Jewish music, bringing harmony to a world that needs it more than ever. Learn more or schedule an audition with Hazzan Natasha Hirschhorn.

Holy Books & Holy Time: Talmud with Rabbi Kalmanofsky

Wednesdays at 7pm in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or via Zoom



This year we will study tractate Shabbat, Chapter 16, which addresses how to write and care for sacred texts.

Parsha Talk

Join Rabbi Kalmanofsky and his buddies Rabbis Barry Chesler and Eliot Malomet for their weekly Parsha Talk. Watch the latest episode

Misheberakh List

We invite you to add the names of your dear ones. Please re-submit them each English calendar month if you'd like us to keep davvening for them.

Chaperone Children to AC Hebrew School 

We are looking for a very responsible high schooler or college student to take three children (3rd, 1st, and kindergarten) from their school to Ansche Chesed Hebrew School every other week. Pick up at PS 87 playground and basketball park at 2:30pm (can't be late) every other Wednesday. Usually, if it's not too cold, kids and chaperone can stay in the playground at the school for about 30 minutes and around 3pm the group will head to the subway to go up to AC for a 3:40pm drop off and class start time. If it’s very cold the chaperone can bring the children to our apartment half a block from the playground.

Pay will be $50 every other week. Email Yael.amron@gmail.com or call / text 646-596-4183 if interested.

Lodging Urgently Needed

A woman seeks a room to rent in NYC. She has recently stayed with other AC community members and is a delightful guest. She has an urgent need to find at least a temporary place to stay. 

She's a retired curator and published novelist, and can pay $400/month if utilities not included, or up to $500/month if utilities included. Can provide references. If you have an extra room to rent OR if you can host her, please reply to her directly ASAP at noirlit2022@gmail.com.